Rivian to Lower Price of R1T Pickup Truck, Provide a Platform to Ford
Rivian Automotive Inc., the electric-truck startup backed by Amazon.com and Ford Motor Co., will provide the platform for a high-performance electric Ford vehicle, and also promised its pickup truck and SUV prices will be lower than has been previously announced.
Rivian Chief Executive Officer R. J. Scaringe said that Rivian will provide Ford with the “skateboard” -- the entire platform, including the motor, battery pack, computer systems and wheels. The design is modular and allows for different vehicle body types to be added on top.
Ford invested in Rivian in April and announced its intention to build a vehicle using Rivian’s technology. Scaringe did not give a date for its release.
Rivian’s own R1T electric pick-up and R1S electric SUV are scheduled to go into production this year at its plant in Normal, Illinois, southwest of Chicago. The company hasn’t disclosed pre-order numbers but has said it’s “very happy” with demand for its own cars.
Scaringe said that the mid-range R1T pickup truck with a glass sky panel that can change from blue to clear was about $69,000. It can travel 300 miles on a full charge. A similar range R1S SUV will sell for about $72,000. Rivian said the large battery could go 400 miles and the smallest could go 230 miles.
Rivian is also building a fleet of electric delivery vehicles for Amazon which are expected to launch in September 2021.
In December, thec company raised $1.3 billion from investors led by T. Rowe Price, taking its total raised last year to $2.85 billion.
Ahead of launching its consumer electric vehicles, the company is planning to open physical stores in the Bay Area and other cities in California.
Scaringe said Rivian was working on rolling out a network of charging stations at key locations such as national parks, but that the vehicles can charge on most charging networks available today.